Blue Origin Will Build and Launch Rockets from Cape Canaveral

Today, Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos announced his intention to make Cape Caneveral the company's base of operations, including production facilities, bringing numerous jobs to the "Space Coast." It will take over Launch Complex 36.

"We're not just launching from here, we're building here," Bezos said, announcing that the company will be building reusable rockets and launch vehicles at the park. "You'll hear us before you'll see us, because our BE-4 engine, our American made vehicle ... will be acceptance tested here."

Bezos added that the space coast has had "front seat coasts to the future" for the last 60 years. "Please keep watching," he said, concluding his remarks. During his announcement, he also addressed the history of Complex 36, which includes the Pioneer 10 probe and the Mariner missions. "At Exploration Park, we'll have a 21st century production facility where we'll focus on manufacturing our reusable fleet of orbital launchers and readying them for flight again and again," he said.

Flanked by Florida Gov. Rick Scott, U.S. Senator and former Payload Specialist Bill Nelson, and other industry leaders, Bezos also made mention of the company's part in the ULA Vulcan rocket, for which it will provide first stage engines. After a takeover big from Aerojet-Rocketdyne, the ULA confirmed its existing contract with Blue Origin, moving up production more fully.

The complexes at Florida have recently seen more development thanks to the private space industry. SpaceX makes active use of Launch Complex 40 and will soon use Launch Complex 13 for Falcon Heavy testing. In addition, the United Launch Alliance uses Complexes 41 and 37 for launching the Atlas V and Delta IV, respectively. Lockheed-Martin and Orbital-ATK also utilize facilities at Canaveral.

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